Saturday, February 28, 2015

Celebrating Small Things Made Big

There are many little things that I find to celebrate each week. The first thing that occurred to me this evening is the Roman Numeral number that accompanies Ruth's post each week. This week, it says LXXI, seventy-two. I haven't missed many. Just imagine, for seventy-two times, we've written notes of celebration, and each one holds multiple things for which we celebrate. That's a ton of celebrating!

This week, my first week back from a week's winter break, I celebrate:

I have one more poem to write for Laura Shovan's birthday month-blogging at Author Amok. She's celebrating by giving us sound prompts every day from which to write a poem. I've only missed one (I think). I celebrate the daily poem brain exercise! I posted one of my poems yesterday on Poetry Friday.

My students returned rested and ready, and worked hard to meet expectations. There are a few big weeks coming, our Advanced School play, preparing portfolios for the upcoming student/parent/teach conference, and beginning new units. It's an exciting time for all of us to consider new topics of exploration.

Because I started late with this class, and my assistant even a few weeks later, for him it's been a "jump in and come up swimming" kind of time. I celebrate his ability to do that and the way we are becoming a team. I am endlessly grateful for all he is doing for the students and for me.

Seldom occurring: Thursday we had a snow day. Although we just returned from a break, I relished staying home and completing some further school work, more reading, and dusting. Sometimes it just takes one more day to catch up!

Finally, ever celebrating my Fridays after school with Ingrid. This time, off to the store on the way home to stock up on ice cream! One moment! Ingrid loves to make up magic spells so she can use them to open the grocery store doors. This takes a while because we often have to wait until there are no people coming in or out. Those automatic doors open with all kinds of magic words, did you know?

Linda,I see a picture book idea in your Ingrid's magic spells. Please write it! I can't believe we have been celebrating 72 times! I haven't missed many either. Amazing! We will share many more moments together in March. Slicing makes me crazy with ideas. I also need to get back to the sound poems. I had a busy week with no extra moments for playing poetry. Is there still time?

I agree with Margaret. What a lovely book that would make. I love your reflection on the exponential effect of celebrating weekly. I too have done this and it makes me want to go back and collect those in one pile to see what's there. The exercise of poetry is something I balk at. Perhaps I'm afraid of what I might look like as I do... Must try. Thank you for your weekly presence.

You're welcome, Julieanne, always glad to hear from you, & then see what you're writing too. I've written poetry for a long time, & it's not always good, maybe rarely good, but it pleases me, plus I've written a lot of years with my students & that's such fun, too. I hope you give it a try sometime. You have a beautiful way with words, so use that with poetry!

I love Ingrid's imagination! I can't believe it has been 72 weeks, although I know I have missed several. You have such dedication and discipline to your writing routines. I admire that so much. Can't wait to start slicing tomorrow!

Haven't been much in the writing community for awhile. Always thinking about how you are doing. Your are always one busy woman. I should live next to you. March is here and I think of March as a new beginning--beginning of new life to everything! I will look at Author Amok.

Lovely to hear from you, no matter how long it is, Tam. I am busy, you're right! This class I've taken over has changed my life, but I am enjoying them very much. I hope you'll enjoy the poetry at Laura's blog (Author Amok). She has a new verse novel coming, too! Happy spring to you!